Manual for Courts-Martial, United States (2024 Edition)

Scope

The Manual for Courts-Martial (MCM) is the foundational document for military justice across the armed forces. The MCM contains the Preamble, the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), the Rules for Courts-Martial, the Military Rules of Evidence, the Punitive Articles and elements, and the Maximum Punishment Chart. The 2024 edition is the current authoritative reference for every court-martial action and most non-judicial punishment determinations.

Audience

Convening authorities exercising court-martial jurisdiction. Staff judge advocates and legal officers. Commanders signing referrals to courts-martial or executing non-judicial punishment under Article 15 UCMJ. Defense counsel and trial counsel. Court members. Witnesses.

Authority

The Manual for Courts-Martial is prescribed by Executive Order under the authority of Article 36 of the UCMJ. The Joint Service Committee on Military Justice maintains the manual. The 2024 edition incorporates statutory and Executive Order amendments through January 2024.

Manual structure

• Preamble. Sources of military jurisdiction.
• Part I. Preamble.
• Part II. Rules for Courts-Martial (RCM). Procedure for every court-martial type.
• Part III. Military Rules of Evidence (MRE). Evidence rules paralleling the Federal Rules.
• Part IV. Punitive Articles. UCMJ Articles 77 through 134 with elements, explanation, lesser included offenses, sample specifications, and maximum punishment.
• Part V. Nonjudicial Punishment Procedure. Article 15 UCMJ implementation.
• Appendices. Constitution, UCMJ statute text, model specifications, charge sheet, and other reference material.

Connection to Marine Corps policy

• MCO 5800.16. Marine Corps Manual for Legal Administration (LSAM). Implements MCM at the Marine Corps level.
• MCO 5800.16 Volume 14. Enlisted NJP procedures implementing MCM Part V.
• MCO 5800.16 Volume 16. Marine Corps military justice procedures implementing MCM Part II.
• JAGINST 5800.7G. Manual of the Judge Advocate General (JAGMAN). Supplements the MCM with Department of the Navy procedure.
• MCO P1070.12K. IRAM. Chapter 4 covers the Unit Punishment Book for documenting Article 15 NJP under MCM Part V.

Status

Active. 2024 edition signed 2 January 2024. Subsequent annual or biennial editions track UCMJ amendments and Executive Order changes. Confirm against the Joint Service Committee on Military Justice site for the latest version before relying on a specific provision.